How to solve a surface integral problem involving a helicoid?

benji55545
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Homework Statement



Evaluate ∫∫S √(1 + x^2 + y^2) dS where S is the helicoid: r(u, v) = ucos(v)i + usin(v)j + vk, with 0 ≤ u ≤ 4, 0 ≤ v ≤ 3π


The Attempt at a Solution



What I tried to do was say x=ucos(v) and y=usin(v), then I plugged those into the sqrt(1+x^2+y^2) eq, which I ended up simplifying to sqrt(1+u) somehow. I then took the cross product of the surface eq differentiated (respect to u) with eq (respect to v). I found the length of that, which I somehow got to be sqrt(2).

I then said that the intergal was ∫∫sqrt(1+u)*sqrt(2)du*dv
where the limits of integration are the limits of u and v given above.
Well this is wrong. Hah!

Any help would be appreciated.
 
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benji55545 said:

Homework Statement



Evaluate ∫∫S √(1 + x^2 + y^2) dS where S is the helicoid: r(u, v) = ucos(v)i + usin(v)j + vk, with 0 ≤ u ≤ 4, 0 ≤ v ≤ 3π


The Attempt at a Solution



What I tried to do was say x=ucos(v) and y=usin(v), then I plugged those into the sqrt(1+x^2+y^2) eq, which I ended up simplifying to sqrt(1+u) somehow. I then took the cross product of the surface eq differentiated (respect to u) with eq (respect to v). I found the length of that, which I somehow got to be sqrt(2)..
I'm not happy with the "somehow"! That's where you went wrong. The cross product you speak of (also called the 'fundamental vector product') is sin(v)\vec{i}- cos(v)\vec{j}+ u\vec{k}
(did you forget the "u" multiplying -cos(v) and sin(v) in the derivative with respect to v?) and that has length \sqrt{1+ u^2}. Thus your integral is
\int_{u= 0}^4\int_{v=0}^{2\pi}(1+ u^2)dudv

I then said that the intergal was ∫∫sqrt(1+u)*sqrt(2)du*dv
where the limits of integration are the limits of u and v given above.
Well this is wrong. Hah!

Any help would be appreciated.
 
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Thanks for the reply.
I still cannot seem to get the correct answer. I solved the double integral you provided and was incorrect, then changed the limit on the integral with respect to u to 3pi like the limits given, but still no luck. Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong? Thanks.
 
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There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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